Secondary traumatic stress, burnout, and compassion satisfaction in a sample of spoken-language interpreters

The primary aim of this study was to better understand levels of secondary traumatic stress, burnout, and compassion satisfaction within the spoken-language interpreter community. An online survey was conducted utilizing the Professional Quality of Life measure with scales for each of these constructs. Responses from the 119 respondents show high levels of secondary traumatic stress but also high levels of compassion satisfaction relative to population norms. A secondary aim was to determine the relationship between each of these scales and trauma history, gender, and refugee status. None of these relationships were significant at the preset alpha levels. In light of our primary results, clinical agencies should consider how interpreters are being supported in trauma-related work. Future focus groups and semistructured interviews will be conducted with survey participants to explore what form this support could take.